Ecology orders removal of Helena Star from Hylebos Waterway

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) today issued an
emergency enforcement order (order) requiring those responsible for the Helena
Star to remove the vessel from Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma’s Commencement Bay.
The 167-foot steel hull vessel is spilling oil and posing a risk of releasing
other contamination into the waterway.

The Helena Star and a second vessel named the Golden West are tangled
together at Mason Marine docks at the head of the Hylebos Waterway. Both
vessels are in deteriorating condition.

On Jan. 25, 2013, the Helena Star sank, dragging the 130-foot fishing vessel
Golden West over to an extreme angle. Ecology and the U.S. Coast Guard worked
with Ballard Diving and Salvage and the Tacoma Fire Department to contain and
remove an estimated 10 to 100 gallons of oil that was released into the Hylebos
Waterway.

Since then, the sunken Helena Star has continued to discharge small amounts
of residual oil.

Based on other ships of this age and type, Ecology is concerned that
additional toxic contaminants such as heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenols,
and asbestos may also be released into Puget Sound over time from paint,
equipment, and other materials on board the vessel.

Responders have continued to monitor the vessels since January. Oil
containment boom remains placed around both vessels to help contain pollution
from residual fuel inside the vessels.

The emergency enforcement order names three Potential Liable Parties (PLPs)
and their associated businesses and directs them to raise and remove the Helena
Star to prevent further harm to the environment.

The order requires the PLPs to submit a work plan for raising the Helena Star
to Ecology within seven days of the order being issued. If the PLPs fail to file
or carry out an acceptable work plan, Ecology can hire contractors to do the
work and charge the PLPs.

Responders were able to temporarily stabilize the Golden West and it remains
afloat. However, this vessel rests on tide flats during extreme low tides, and
may be at risk of sinking and releasing oil and other hazardous substances into
the environment. Ecology may choose to address the Golden West with a separate
enforcement order at a later date.

People are invited to comment on the enforcement order for the Helena Star
from April 11 to May 13. Ecology will review and consider all comments
submitted. The comment period will coincide with Ecology’s review of the PLPs’
work plan, if submitted.

Before the Helena Star sank, the vessels had been moored at the location of
Mason Marine Services, Inc. for about two years. One of the suspected operators
of the vessels, Mason Marine, filed for bankruptcy in 2012. According to the
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), at the time of the
sinking, the two vessels were among an estimated 179 known derelict or abandoned
vessels in Washington state.

In March 2012, about 6,500 gallons of oily water, as well as other hazardous
substances, were removed from the Helena Star and Golden West, limiting the
potential for pollution to the waterway.

Despite this action, residual quantities of oil have continued to leak
intermittently in the contained area surrounding the vessels since January,
2013.

The Hylebos Waterway flows into Commencement Bay. It is home to Chinook,
pink, coho and chum salmon and is a habitat for other aquatic and bird species.
Spills in this waterway have the potential to adversely impact Puget Sound.

Extensive areas of the Hylebos Waterway have been dredged to remove
contaminated sediment. Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency
(EPA), and the parties who have paid for sediment cleanup work all have an
interest in preventing releases of contaminants to the waterway.

Washington’s natural resources are always put at risk whenever oil is spilled
or hazardous materials are released to the environment. All oil spills have an
impact, regardless of size. The damage starts as soon as oil hits the water. Oil
products are poisonous to the environment and they add to the toxic load to our
water bodies. Spills also are difficult and costly to clean up. That’s why
Ecology, EPA and the Coast Guard work to prevent spills from occurring in the
first place through enforcement of state and federal anti-pollution laws.